Assistant Teacher-10 Mo. 160670-Head Start

Adams County Colorado; Brighton (CO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Adams County Head Start is seeking an Assistant Teacher to support teachers in delivering language, literacy, math, and social-emotional activities. You will observe children, adapt lessons, and help implement individualized plans aligned with school readiness goals.

A year of preschool experience and Colorado credentials are emphasized. You’ll collaborate with parents and staff, attend meetings, and help maintain a healthy, inclusive classroom environment while following Head Start standards

Qualifications

• Understanding of early childhood principles and development.
• Ability to communicate clearly with parents and colleagues.
• Commitment to positive discipline and safe learning environments.
• Head Start requires specific ECE credentials or coursework.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities.
• Observe and record each child’s progress and adapt activities accordingly.
• Support plan implementation and input for IEPs and behavior plans.
• Maintain a healthy, safe, organized classroom and supervise daily.
• Communicate with families and participate in conferences and home visits.

Skills

Understanding of early childhood

Clear communication

Positive discipline practices

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

ECE Teacher Certificate

CDA credential

7 completed ECED college courses

Job description

Assist and perform various duties to provide students with appropriate learning activities and experiences to help children develop their full potential in the areas of language, literacy, social-emotional, physical, and mathematics.

View our Head StartTeacher video

• This is a 10-month position from August to May following the Head Start school year.
• Assist with developing, preparing, and implement daily, weekly, and monthly instructional activities in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, program goals, school readiness goals, and other program requirements, while considering the individual needs and skill levels of the children.
• Assist and provide instruction to children involved in various classroom activities, including educational programs to develop children's growth in socio-emotional, motor, cognitive, language, health, and personal hygiene skills, using development appropriate activities, best practices, and positive discipline practices.
• Assist in observing, recording, and evaluating each child’s activity, performance, behavior, and development; accommodate and modify individual activities based on developmental needs or behavior.
• Work closely with the Lead Teacher to support, adapt, and implement behavior plans and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that align with each child’s goals and needs. This includes helping ensure strategies are carried out consistently in the classroom and providing meaningful input during IEP and behavior plan meetings to support each child’s progress.
• Assist in various screening tools to assess children in all areas of development, then use the outcomes to create individual learning activities that support children’s learning.
• Assist utilizing the outcomes of the development screening tools to discuss with the parent child’s strength and potential concerns, and to support the parent with activities to implement at home to support the students in his/her development and growth.
• Implementing and supporting efforts that help individuals understand differences, appreciate various perspectives, and work effectively together in educational settings.
• Responsible for fully understanding and intentionally implementing active supervision practices consistently throughout the day.
• Only utilize positive discipline practices.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, workshops, formal classes, in-service training, and program events to continually advance teaching skills and knowledge.
• Participating in professional development opportunities and education coaching to enhance skills and professional practices.
• Assist in maintaining ongoing communication with parents and encourage their active involvement. Support parents in understanding and embracing their role as their child’s primary educator. Help reinforce and transfer important concepts and behaviors from the classroom to the home.
• Assist and participate in parent-teacher conferences and home visits to further strengthen school-home collaboration.
• Work collaboratively with the classroom team to plan and implement policies, support program goals and activities, and promote meaningful parent involvement in both the classroom and the overall program.
• Assist in all forms of communication with parents and team members, working collaboratively to meet the needs of all children and families.
• Assist in ensuring and maintaining a healthy, safe, clean, and organized classroom environment. Direct classroom team (assistant teacher and classroom aide) to support with daily operations, including completing and monitoring health, meals, and attendance logs.
• Assist in implementing family-style mealtimes and clean up, nurturing social/emotional and self-help development.
• Ability to use various forms of technology, including tablets and computers; navigate databases such as Smart Teach and other program databases; and communicate effectively through email, curriculum platforms, and phone calls with timely responses.
• Always maintain confidentiality and abide by the program's employee standard of conduct.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as needed, including accepting temporary work assignments within Adams County Head Start when regularly scheduled personnel are unavailable.

• Understanding of early childhood principles of child development theory and early childhood education.
• Use only positive discipline practices.
• Apply principles and procedures of record keeping and report writing.
• Follow pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including childcare licensing regulations.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Always instruct and supervise children.
• Complete Teaching Strategies GOLD inter-reliability certificate as needed.
• Maintain an early childhood credential level 3 or higher on Colorado Shines PDIS.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and respectfully both orally and in writing, using proper English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional language.
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful, and professional working relationships with those contacted during work while demonstrating a professional attitude and appearance.
• Demonstrate a willingness to serve and a passion for exceeding customer service expectations.
• Safely operate an automobile.

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience working with preschool age children.

Education

• Head Start requires Assistant Teachers to have one of the following:
  1. As Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with major course work in early childhood education.
  2. An Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate from a credited college with major coursework in Early Child Education.
  3. Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or state award certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential.
  4. At a minimum seven (7) completed early childhood education college courses and evident in official transcripts.

License or Certificate:

• Valid Colorado Driver’s License and proof of vehicle insurance
• A motor Vehicle record check will be conducted
• Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification
• Ability to obtain medication administration certificate
• Ability to obtain an Early Childhood Professional Credential Level III or higher
• Ability to obtain Interrater Reliability Certification

Background Check:

• Ability to pass multiple criminal backgrounds and Central Registry checks
• A fingerprint check will be conducted
• A Motor Vehicle record check will be conducted

Other:

• Must complete physical examination and TB test upon hire
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, and climb
• Ability to lift up to 45 pounds
• Exposure to childhood diseases